Lasioderma Serricorne Research Articles

Bacterial microbiome associated with cigarette beetle Lasioderma serricorne (F.) and its microbial plasticity in relation to diet sources.

Insect-microbial symbiosis contributes positively to the physiology of the insect and diet is considered as one important factor determining microbial symbiosis. In this study, we have characterized the microbiota of cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (Fabricius) on different diets and phases. The beetles were reared on different diet sources (exposed phase) for six generations and were reverted to their natal source (reverted phase) and further maintained for six more generations. The bacterial diversity and richness were higher in the exposed phase and once reverted to the natal source, the microbial abundance has re-assembled according to the natal diet source. There was re-assemblage of microbial composition in accordance to the diet and the bacterial cells are able to establish and proliferate on reverting to their natal source. The bacterial composition of the beetle was mainly dynamic and not transient where the bacterial cells were maintained at low abundance and were re-established according to the diet source. Overall, we found that the microbiota of cigarette beetle to be dynamic and bacterial composition to re-assemble in a diet-specific manner. The study provides insights on diet associated microbial plasticity of cigarette beetle and a further comprehensive understanding on mechanisms involved in microbial plasticity will help develop novel pest management strategies for this invasive insect pest.

Extraction, Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activities of Lantana camara Linn. Leaf Essential Oils against Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Callosobruchus chinensis.

Storage pests and the food spoilage they cause are problems of great concern. Using essential oil obtained from different plants as an insecticide against these storage pests can be considered an environmentally friendly pest management option. Lantana camara Linn. (family Verbenaceae) is a flowering species, and is also a noxious weed that can proliferate well in nearly all geographical habitats. A biopesticide derived from the essential oil extracted from this plant can offer an effective solution for controlling storage pests. The goal of this study is to extract and analyse the chemical composition of essential oil obtained from L. camara leaves, and assess its effectiveness as a bioactive substance against three storage pests: Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne, and Callosobruchus chinensis. The yield of essential oil extracted from L. camara leaves was about 0.24 ± 0.014%. By employing the GC-MS technique, the major phytochemicals contained in L. camara leaf essential oil were identified as caryophyllene (69.96%), isoledene (12%), and ɑ-copaene (4.11%). The essential oil exhibited excellent fumigant toxicity (LC50 of 16.70 mg/L air for T. castaneum, 4.141 mg/L air for L. serricorne and 6.245 mg/L air for C. chinensis at 24 h), contact toxicity (LC50 of 8.93 mg/cm2 for T. castaneum, 4.82 mg/cm2 for L. serricorne and 6.24 mg/cm2 for C. chinensis after 24 h) along with effective repellent activity towards the test insects. In addition, the oil showed no significant phytotoxicity on the germination of paddy seeds. This presents the potential to utilize a weed in developing a biopesticide for effectively managing stored product insects because of its strong bioactivity.

Volatile metabolites, antioxidant and biological activities of Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. essential oil, from the tropical dry forest, Cesar, Colombian Caribbean Region

Tropical Dry Forest (T-dF) is one of the most threatened ecosystems in the Neotropics, due to negative anthropogenic impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem services. Bursera simaruba (L.) Sarg. (indio desnudo, resbalamono), is among the species most reported for the T-dF of the Colombian Caribbean. In this work, the chemical composition and antioxidant and biological activities of B. simaruba essential oil (EO) were determined. EO chemical analysis from leaves and, petiole, and young branches bark (PYBB) of B. simaruba was carried out by Gas Chromatography coupled to Mass Spectrometry; polar and apolar columns were used for component separation. The biological activity of B. simaruba EO (PYBB) against Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera, Ptinidae) was determined by the preference area method. EO (PYBB) antioxidant capacity was determined by Oxygen Free Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay. Reference antioxidant and standard terpenes were used for relative analysis of ORAC results. α-Terpinene (27.7% and 16.4%), p-cymene (22.8% and 44.0%), and g-terpinene (16.7% and 14.6%), were the main constituents in B. simaruba EOs (leaves and PYBB). EOs were represented by a high percentage of hydrocarbon monoterpenes (∼79.1% and ∼88.9%, leaves and PYBB); while hydrocarbon sesquiterpenes (∼3.1% and ∼4.6%, leaves and PYBB); contributed with a low percentage. B. simaruba EO (PYBB), showed attractant activity, at 0.4 μL.cm-2 (2h: -45%±7%; 4h: -50%±17%); in relation with Stay off, at 0.8 μL.cm-2, which was used as a positive control for repellent activity (2h: 66%±5%; 4h: 75%±21%). B. simaruba EO (PYBB) showed a very low antioxidant capacity (ORAC: 657.2±20.5 μmol Trolox/g sample), related to quercetin, used as reference antioxidant (50816.9±1559.1 μmol Trolox/g sample). However, EO ORAC was higher than the α-terpinene (68.0±10.8 μmol Trolox/g sample), γ-terpinene (51.2±2.0 μmol Trolox/g sample), p-cymene (105.6±6.4 μmol Trolox/g sample), used as standard terpenes. In conclusion, this is the first report on the chemical composition of the B. simaruba EO from Colombia, whose results differ from the previous ones from Jamaica and Guadeloupe. Chemical composition, reported here, with α-terpinene, γ-terpinene and p-cymene as principal compounds, could be used to establish a scientific support that explains some traditional uses. EO showed an attractive biological activity on L. serricorne. EO showed an antioxidant activity lowest quercetin (antioxidant reference), but higher that standard terpenes (α-terpinene, γ-terpinene and p-cymene).

Chemical Composition and Insecticidal Activities of Blumea balsamifera (Sambong) Essential Oil Against Three Stored Product Insects

Blumea balsamifera (L.) DC. (Asteraceae), also known as sambong, is a perennial herb used in China for medicinal purposes. The essential oil (EO) of B. balsamifera was extracted by hydrodistillation. Thirty chemical components of the EO were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC, accounting for 88.0% (w/w) of the total oil. The EO of B. balsamifera was mainly composed of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes, in which borneol (23.3%), β-caryophyllene (20.9%) and camphor (11.8%) were the major components. The insecticidal activities of the EO and its three main compounds against Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Sitophilus oryzae were evaluated. The results of bioassays displayed that the EO of B. balsamifera did not have fumigant toxicity to the three target insects, but exhibited significant contact activity against L. serricorne (LD50 = 12.4 μg/adult) and S. oryzae (LD50 = 44.4 μg/adult). Meanwhile, the EO showed a notable repellent effect on T. castaneum at all testing concentrations and a general repellent effect on S. oryzae at high concentrations (78.63 nL/cm2). β-Caryophyllene showed the best performance in the contact toxicity bioassays against the three insects. The results indicated that B. balsamifera has the potential to be used as a source of botanical insecticides for the control of stored-product insects.

Contact toxicity and repellent activity of essential oils from Alpinia zerumbet cv. ‘Variegata’ against stored product insects

ABSTRACT Alpinia zerumbet cv. ’Variegata’, as a special spice, has attracted social attention for its potential to replace synthetic chemicals as insecticides and repellents in food protection. In this work, the essential oils (EOs) from different organs of Alpinia zerumbet cv. ’Variegata’ (stem and leaf, flower, and rhizome) were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The contact toxicities and repellent activities of the extracted EOs, along with their common components, against three insect species (Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne, and Liposcelis bostrychophila) were evaluated. GC-MS analysis identified 25 components, and eucalyptol and camphor were the common primary components in the three EOs. The result showed that EOs and the main components (eucalyptol and camphor) exhibited varying degrees of contact toxicity and repellent activity against three insect species. Camphor exhibited more obvious contact toxicity than eucalyptol against both insect species (L. serricorne and L. bostrychophila), but the toxic effect was opposite for T. castaneum. The gray relation analysis explained that REOA had the strongest repellency against L. serricorne, with a coefficient of 0.52. The results in this study suggest that EOs of A. zerumbet cv. ’Variegata’ have the potential to be developed into botanical insecticides and repellents to control stored-product insects.

Identification and immune analysis of antimicrobial peptides from the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne).

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in insects are endogenous peptides that are effector components of the innate defense system of the insect. AMPs may serve as antimicrobial agents because of their small molecular weight and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity. In this study, we performed transcriptome analysis of cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) larvae, parasitized by the ectoparasitic wasp, Anisopteromalus calandrae. Several AMP genes were significantly upregulated following A.calandrae parasitism, postulating the hypothesis that the parasitization enhanced the host's resistance against pathogenic microorganisms through the regulation of host AMP genes. Specifically, 3 AMP genes (LsDef1, LsDef2, and LsCole) were significantly upregulated and we studied their immune function in L.serricorne. Immune challenge and functional analysis showed that LsCole was responsible for the immune response against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, while LsDef1 and LsDef2 were involved in insect defense against Gram-positive bacteria. Purified recombinant LsCole exhibited antimicrobial activities against the Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli and the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus. LsDef2 showed an antibacterial effect against S.aureus. LsCole and LsDef2 exhibited antibiofilm activity against S.aureus. The 2 AMPs disrupted cell membranes and caused leakage of S.aureus cell contents. The results indicated that the 3 AMPs in L.serricorne are involved in the innate immunity of this pest insect. These AMPs may have potential as antimicrobial agents for bacterial infection chemotherapy. Hence, data are discussed in relation to new control strategies with greater biosafety against pest insects with use of microbial biocontrol agents in combination with RNA interference against the insect's defensive AMP genes.

Dispersal and parasitic ability of Anisopteromalus calandrae (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) against Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) larvae in an experimental warehouse

Anisopteromalus calandrae (Howard) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is a solitary ectoparasitoid parasitizing most stored-product insects. The ability of A. calandrae to locate and parasitize late-instar larvae of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) was investigated in an experimental warehouse. Three residence times (the time between wasps release and removing from the experimental room, i.e., 1, 2, and 3 d) were tested. The number of A. calandrae progeny increased with increasing residence times, and the progeny were male biased. After releasing A. calandrae for 1, 2, and 3 d, the percentages of female offspring of A. calandrae were 12.77, 27.57, and 30.89% respectively. Mortality of the late-instar larvae of L. serricorne also significantly increased with increasing residence times, reaching the highest mortality 64.30% after wasps release for 3 d, followed by 40.45% (2 d), and 18.71% (1 d). The control ability and disperse range of the A. calandrae also significantly increased over time. About 261.91, 566.34, and 900.32 late-instar larvae of L. serricorne were paralyzed and oviposited by A. calandrae after 1, 2, and 3 d of wasps release, respectively. All L. serricorne larvae 0.85, 2.14, and 4.28 m away from the release site of A. calandrae were parasitized after wasps release for 1, 2, and 3 d, respectively. The present study results are helpful to the rational use of A. calandrae for controlling stored product pests.

Assessment of Contact Toxicity and Repellent Effects of Essential Oils from Piper Plants Piper yunnanense and Piper boehmeriifolium against Three Stored-Product Insects.

Storage is a crucial part during grain production for the massive spoilage caused by stored product insects. Essential oils (EOs) of plant origin have been highly recommended to combating insects which are biodegradable and safe mode of action. Hence, to make the fullest use of natural resources, essential oils of different parts from Piper yunnanense (the whole part, PYW; fruits, PYF; leaves, PYL) and Piper boehmeriifolium (leaves, PBL) were extracted by steam distillation method in the present study. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) characterization revealed bicyclogermacrene (PYW), γ-muurolene (PYF), δ-cadinene (PYL) and methyl 4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoate (PBL) as the principal compound of each essential oil. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were also recognized as the richest class accounting for 56.3 %-94.9 % of the total oil. Three storage pests, Tribolium castaneum, Lasioderma serricorne and Liposceis bostrychophila, were exposed to different concentrations of EOs to determine their insecticidal effects. All tested samples performed modest contact toxicity in contrast to a bioactive ingredient pyrethrin, among which the most substantial effects were observed in PYF EOs against T. castaneum (35.84 μg/adult), PBL EOs against L. serricorne (15.76 μg/adult) and PYW EOs against L. bostrychophila (57.70 μg/cm2 ). In terms of repellency tests, essential oils of PYF at 78.63 nL/cm2 demonstrated to have a remarkable repellence against T. castaneum at 2h and 4h post-exposure. The investigations indicate diverse variations in the chemical profiles and insecticidal efficacies of P. yunnanense and P. boehmeriifolium EOs, providing more experimental evidence for the use of the Piper plants.

Polymeric nanoparticles improve lethal and sublethal effects of essential oils and pyrethroids toward the rice weevil and the cigarette beetle

Polymeric nanoparticles improve lethal and sublethal effects of essential oils and pyrethroids toward the rice weevil and the cigarette beetle

Application of Modified Atmospheres to Control Stegobium paniceum and Lasioderma serricorne Infestation of Stored Chamomile and Coriander and Its Effect On Product Quality

AbstractMedicinal and spices plants are crucial, and they can become infested by several insects, such as drugstore beetle (Stegobium paniceum l.) and the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), during storage. Therefore, the present study aimed to assess the effect of enriched modified atmospheres (MAs), with CO2 or N2, on L. serricorne and S. paniceum adults and larvae and their effect on quality of chamomile flowers and coriander seeds during storage. Various carbon dioxide and nitrogen gas concentrations were tested, including 40% CO2, 50% CO2, 60% CO2, 97% N2, and 98% N2. The larval mortality for S. paniceum reached 100% after 6 days of 60% CO2 and 8 days for the L. serricorne. At 98% N2 treatment, the complete mortality (100%) of S. paniceum and L. serricorne adults was recorded following 3 and 9 day exposures and of larvae following 10 day exposure.The quality parameters (weight loss percentage, germination, essential oil percentage, and color) of chamomile flower and coriander seeds treated with 60% CO2 and control were studied after 3 and 6 months of storage. The MAs had the lowest weight loss percentage, the highest lightness value, the lowest color changes, and the highest essential oil content of chamomile flower and coriander seeds compared with the control treatment. Additionally, the MAs induced a higher germination percentage of coriander seeds compared with the control. Treatment with CO2 increased some essential oils compounds, compared with control after 6 months of storage of chamomile. All compounds were decreased in coriander seeds treated with CO2, except for carvone and anethole, which were increased. In conclusion, our study recommends using MAs to control S. paniceum and L. serricorne during storage and maintain the quality of chamomile flower and coriander seed.

Halloween genes as optimal RNAi-based targets for controlling the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne

Halloween genes as optimal RNAi-based targets for controlling the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne

Bioactivities of thymol and p-cymene from the essential oil of Adenosma buchneroides against three stored-product insects.

The adverse effects of relying solely on synthetic pesticides have become increasingly evident, leading many countries to explore alternatives sourced from plant-based green economies. Essential oil (EO) from stems and leaves of Adenosma buchneroides Bonati (A. buchneroides) was distilled by using hydrodistillation and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for component identification. Subsequently, EO as well as its main constituents (thymol and p-cymene) were tested for their insecticidal activity against the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum), the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne), and the booklouse (Liposcelis bostrychophila). The joint action of thymol and p-cymene produced an additive or synergistic effect. A. buchneroides essential oil (BHO) and the fixed ratio of the main compounds, thymol, and p-cymene both showed significant toxic activity against the target pests. This toxic effect is not simply the sum of individual effects, as it is influenced by various factors such as insect species and mode of action. These findings imply that the BHO and its phytoconstituents possess great potential to develop plant-derived biopesticides that will be safe for humans and the environment.

Dielectric Properties of Dried Turmeric Rhizomes and Related Storage Insects

The dielectric properties of dried turmeric finger rhizomes and the related storage insects namely Stegobium paniceum L. (drugstore beetle) and Lasioderma serricorne F. (cigarette beetle), were studied using an impedance analyzer. The measurements were conducted with the frequency range of 25 to 32 MHz and at temperatures ranging from 60 to 80°C. The dielectric constant and loss factor decreased with increasing frequency from 25 to 32 MHz at all temperatures whereas, the dielectric constant and loss factor increases with increasing temperatures at constant frequency for all samples were studied. The sample with maximum moisture content revealed maximum dielectric property. New equations were formulated through regression analysis to explore how the dielectric properties are influenced by changes in temperature and frequency.

Effect of combining tobacco cultivars of different alkaloid contents on the development of Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera Anobiidae)

The cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) is a universal feeder of stored tobacco, resulting in significant economic losses to tobacco manufacturing. Interestingly, few insects can and will infest tobacco due in part to nicotine toxicity. However, the cigarette beetle (CB) presumably metabolizes or secretes with little or no degradation the ingested nicotine allowing for the proliferation of CB progeny to infest stored tobacco. Although the effects of nicotine as an alkaloid have been characterized in the CB, it is not fully understood, nor are the effects of other alkaloids such as nornicotine, anabasine and anatabine with respect to a low nicotine level on the CB. Here we determine the influence of tobacco alkaloid content on population growth of the CB in the laboratory when fed on blends of different tobacco lines (TLA, TLB and TLG) that contained different concentrations of nicotine and three other minor alkaloids. Despite TLA and TLB had lower total alkaloid content than TLG (0.2, 1.1, and 3.5%, respectively), progeny production of CB was delayed only in TLB, suggesting that CB progeny suppression may not be, at least directly, dependent of nicotine content but positively correlated with increases in anatabine. Temperatures of 25° to 30 °C of stored tobacco resulted in severe infestations in mixtures of tobacco suitable for development. These findings indicate the potential to regulate insect infestation via alkaloid content utilizing low nicotine levels.

Biological activities of Elsholtzia stauntoni essential oil and its major constituents against Tribolium castaneum larvae and Lasioderma serricorne adults

This study investigated the biological activity of essential oils (EOs) and their main components (caryophyllene and cuminol) against Tribolium castaneum larvae and Lasioderma serricorne adults. EOs were extracted from both flowers and leaves of Elsholtzia stauntoni. The results indicated that the EOs derived from both flowers and leaves, as well as their main components (caryophyllene and cuminol), exhibited contact activities with LD50 values of 35.11, 43.66, 15.44, and 26.05 μg/larva, respectively, against T. castaneum larvae. Moreover, they demonstrated obvious contact toxicities with LD50 values of 14.15, 11.18, 17.81, and 13.91 μg/adult, respectively, against L. serricorne adults. Additionally, EOs from both flowers and leaves exhibited fumigant activities against T. castaneum larvae (LC50 = 24.42 and 62.54 mg/L) and L. serricorne adults (LC50 = 15.26 and 24.29 mg/L). Furthermore, the EOs of flowers and leaves and their main components (caryophyllene and cuminol) remained significantly repellency to T. castaneum larvae and L. serricorne adults within the testing concentration range of 78.63-15.83 nL/cm2 after 12 h of exposure. These findings suggested that the EO from E. stauntoni and its two major components could potentially be developed as a natural insecticide for controlling T. castaneum larvae and L. serricorne adults.

Bacillus sp. YC7 from intestines of Lasioderma serricorne degrades nicotine due to nicotine dehydrogenase

A large number of nicotine-containing wastes produced during the tobacco manufacturing process are seriously harmful to the environment and human health. The degradation and transformation of nicotine-containing environmental contaminants to harmless substances has become an urgent requirement. Lasioderma serricorne can grow and reproduce in nicotine-rich sources, and their intestinal microbiota show promising potential to degrade and utilize nicotine. The purpose of this study is to screen and identify nicotine-degrading bacteria from the intestines of L. serricorne and explore their degradation characteristics. A dominant strain, YC7, with significant nicotine degradation capabilities was isolated from the intestines of L. serricorne. The strain was identified as Bacillus using a polyphasic approach. The test results showed it can produce multiple enzymes that include β-glucosidase, cellulase, proteases, and amylases. The nicotine-degrading bacteria were functionally annotated using databases. Nicotine dehydrogenase (NDH) was found by combining an activity tracking test and protein mass spectrometry analysis. The YC-7 NDH in the pathway was molecularly docked and functionally verified via the gene knockdown method. The binding ability of nicotine to nicotine-degrading enzymes was investigated using molecular docking. A high-efficiency nicotine-degrading bacteria, YC-7, was isolated and screened from tobacco, and the gene functions related to degradation were verified. This investigation provides a new hypothesis for screening nicotine-degrading bacteria and increases our knowledge of potential nicotine-degrading microbial sources.

Entomocidal activity of some botanical powders and their mixes against adults of Lasioderma serricorne Fabricius and Stegobium paniceum Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Anobiidae)

The study investigated the lethality of powders made from rice husk ash (RHA), dry flower buds of Eugenia aromatica (L.) Baill. (EAP), and dry seeds of Piper guineense Schumach. (PGP), to adults of Lasioderma serricorne Fabricius and Stegobium paniceum Linnaeus, at 25 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 3% relative humidity. The powders were tested singly, and in binary and ternary combinations at the dosages of 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.1 g/10 g of grain in glass Petri dishes. The constituents of binary and ternary combination of powders were mixed in equal proportions. There was a control involving no powder. Adult mortality of 20 individuals was observed 3, 5 and 7 days post treatment. ANOVA of data indicated significant differences among treatment means. Adult mortality increased with increase in dosage of powders and period of exposure. When applied singly the three insecticidal powders generally showed decreasing lethality to the adults beetles in this order RHA > EAP > PGP with respect to S. paniceum, but EAP > RHA > PGP with respect to L. serricorne. In the binary and ternary combinations of equal proportions the less toxic powders were more enhanced in lethality. The use of the binary and ternary combinations may be favoured for use in mitigating S. paniceum and L. serricorne damage to stored products for reasons of affordability, sustainability and durability which is discussed.

The relationship between host plant traits and biodiversity across three sympatric seed‐feeding tri‐trophic systems in a tropical region of Brazil

Abstract We describe the diverse community of insect herbivores and parasitoids associated with the seeds and fruits of three sympatric Fabaceae species in Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil: Inga vera, Senna multijuga and Leucaena leucocephala. A total of 5353 individual insects, representing 77 different species, were identified via morphology and DNA barcoding. The non‐native L. leucocephala had the least diverse natural enemy community (N = 17 species), while two native species, I. vera and S. multijuga, were more diverse (N = 40 and N = 24 species, respectively). Individuals from the insect order Hymenoptera, a group dominated by parasitoid wasps, were the most diverse recovered from our samples in all hosts. Additionally, individual herbivore and parasitoid species were more likely to be found on a single host, with only four out of the 77 species found in more than one plant species. This includes the generalist agricultural pest herbivore, Lasioderma serricorne, found in two species, and three parasitoids connecting native S. multijuga and non‐native L. leucocephala communities, hinting at recent host shifts. Furthermore, different host plant traits had complex effects on the herbivore and parasitoid communities, where seed number per fruit promoted a propagating effect on the abundance and richness at both higher trophic levels, whereas seed and fruit weight did not. We highlight the importance of including parasitoids in insect community studies because they are highly diverse and provide important ecosystem services. Additional study of the biology, behaviour and distributions of parasitoids would be advantageous to inform conservation and biological control.

Sampling Lasioderma serricorne (Coleoptera: Anobiidae) in 2 coffee bean warehouses in New Jersey.

Cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.), is one of the most common stored-product pests. We monitored their population dynamics and distribution in two coffee bean warehouses in New Jersey, USA, using pheromone traps and sticky traps during September 2018-October 2020, and light traps in 2020. The two warehouses only implemented treatment procedures for controlling Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)) during the study period. The first L. serricorne adult appeared on pheromone traps from late May to early June when temperature reached 21-22 °C, and the last L. serricorne adult appeared on pheromone traps from late October to mid-November when temperature dropped to 10-14 °C. The majority of L. serricorne was caught during July-October. Light traps caught 5.5- and 2.2-times more L. serricorne per trap than pheromone traps in Warehouse 1 and 2, respectively. Warehouse 1 had a significantly higher density of L. serricorne than Warehouse 2. The L. serricorne activity peaks were not always clear and varied between year and the two warehouses. Zero to 3 hot spots, where had the largest numbers of L. serricorne, were identified from July to October in each warehouse based on pheromone traps, and their locations were similar through the months both in 2019 and 2020. The L. serricorne counts from pheromone traps placed inside warehouse were at least 2.3-times more than those placed outside. Also, the L. serricorne active period outside of the warehouses was shorter than that from inside of the warehouses.

Comparison of different traps and attractants in 3 food processing facilities in Greece on the capture of stored product insects.

Certain lures are marketed toward particular pests or classes of pests, while others might be multi-species lures. Investigative aims for this study included both which trap was most sensitive and whether different combinations of traps and attractants were delivering novel information about the stored product insect community. Comparisons were made for all combinations of 3 commercial traps and 4 different attractants plus an untreated control on the capture of stored-product insects for 2 consecutive years in 3 food processing facilities in Central Greece. The traps used in the experiments were Dome Trap (Trécé Inc., USA), Wall Trap (Trécé) and Box Trap (Insects Limited, Ltd., USA). The attractants that were evaluated were 0.13 g of (i) PantryPatrol gel (Insects Limited), (ii) Storgard kairomone food attractant oil (Trécé), (iii) wheat germ (Honeyville, USA), and (iv) Dermestid tablet attractant (Insects Limited). The traps were inspected approximately every 15 days and rotated. A total of 34,000+ individuals were captured belonging to 26 families and at least 48 species. The results indicated that Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hübner), red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst), and cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricorne (F.) were the most abundant. Although there were noticeable differences among the different traps and attractants for specific species, all combinations provided similar information on population dynamics. Generally, Dome traps baited with either the oil or the gel, were found to be the most sensitive. The results of the present study demonstrate the importance of long-term trapping protocols, as a keystone in IPM-based control strategies in food processing facilities.